Chapter 24 Moral Blackmail
Back in her room, Qin Zhen lay on her bed with nothing to do.
Ugh, another day of missing her phone...
It was only eight o'clock — there was no way she could fall asleep yet.
She opened her Wrist Computer and was surprised to find several friend messages waiting for her.
They were from [Qing Heyin].
[Qing Heyin: A lot of people want to buy Spike Fences. Take a look at the Chat Channel.]
[Qing Heyin: A bunch of them asked me if I'd gotten in touch with you. When they found out I'd bought some, they wanted me to refer them to you. Is that okay?]
[Qiyezhenzhen: Sure, let me check.]
Qin Zhen opened the Chat Channel, and sure enough, everyone was talking about Spike Fences.
[The Golden House Within Books: Seller of Spike Fences, please add me when you see this — I'd like to buy some.]
[VastAsWater: I want to buy some too!]
[Blinds: Hey, could you lower the price a little? It's really expensive...]
[YouMustBeStarving: Stop complaining. The materials alone can't be cheap — that price is actually pretty fair.]
[Blinds: We're all fellow citizens of Huaguo. In times of crisis, shouldn't we help each other out?]
[Zhengzhan Tianxia: Exactly. One Spike Fence costs that much, and you need at least ten to fence in a yard. Who has that many resources? It's like they're just watching us die on purpose.]
[Endless Stream: Right, can't we just buy at cost? It's not like they'd be losing money.]
This sentiment was met with countless upvotes of agreement.
[Bai Moli: That's true...]
[...]
Some people probably knew this wasn't really right, but for the sake of their own interests, they chose to stand by and watch — hoping these few would manage to drive the price down.
[JustGoMarryAGuy: The nerve of you people. You want someone to work for free? If it were you, would you do it for nothing?]
[Zhengzhan Tianxia: Of course I would. We're all fellow citizens — we should help each other.]
[Endless Stream: Exactly, that's how it should be...]
These high-minded words earned the approval of everyone who wanted the price lowered — and at the same time, stirred a deep sense of disgust in Qin Zhen.
She remembered the username Zhengzhan Tianxia. The very first time she'd traded resources using Coconuts, he'd called her a greedy profiteer.
And now here he was again, trying to get her to work for free.
Who gave him that kind of nerve? Liang Jingru?
This person truly made her sick. Qin Zhen had had enough.
But rather than blocking them, she typed a message in the Chat Channel.
[Qiyezhenzhen: I'm the seller of the Spike Fences.
Anyone who wants to buy, add me. The price is Refined Iron ×40 and Common Monster Materials ×8.
I have 60 available today, limit 10 per person, first come first served.
Fair warning: I don't have enough materials on hand, so you'll need to send me the materials first before I can craft them.
If you're worried I'll run off with your stuff, don't add me.
Also — Zhengzhan Tianxia, Endless Stream, Blinds, and Bai Moli: your prices are doubled.
Moral blackmail doesn't work on me. I don't play that game.]
[Blinds: What do you mean? Why do we have to pay double?]
[Zhengzhan Tianxia: You little wretch — charging that much and you don't feel any shame?]
[Endless Stream: Yeah, why are we being treated differently from everyone else? This is discrimination!]
[Bai Moli: I only said one thing... it wasn't even that big a deal...]
Some people felt the purchase limit wasn't enough — too many buyers, too few fences!
Others thought the risk was too high and hesitated, since the materials involved were no small amount.
[The Golden House Within Books: Hey, 60 is way too few with this many people...]
[Xiaofeixia: Yeah, please add more!]
[...]
[Qiyezhenzhen: You can demand I lower my price with nothing but your mouths, so why can't I raise the price for you? Take it or leave it — I'm not begging you to buy.]
[Qiyezhenzhen: Sorry everyone, crafting Spike Fences takes time. I can only make 60 today. If I have time tomorrow, I'll continue then.]
[The Golden House Within Books: Ah, I see. Alright then...]
In fact, the moment Qin Zhen posted her first message, friend requests had already started flooding in.
She went through them in order, accepting the first one.
The username was [VastAsWater].
[VastAsWater: Hey! I'd like ten Spike Fences. I've sent you the materials!]
[Qin Zhen: OK, give me about forty minutes and I'll send them over.]
[VastAsWater: Sounds good!]
Qin Zhen collected the [Refined Iron ×400, Common Monster Materials ×80] that VastAsWater had sent.
She then used Refined Iron ×300 and Stone ×100 to craft ten standard Spike Fences.
Qin Zhen moved on to the second friend request.
The username was [The Golden House Within Books].
She had a vague memory of this person — they were often active in the Chat Channel.
[The Golden House Within Books: Hey, sorry to ask, but is there any substitute for the monster materials? I only have enough Common Monster Materials for five Spike Fences, but I want ten...]
[Qiyezhenzhen: You can substitute Stone ×15 instead.]
[The Golden House Within Books: Really? That's great! Okay, I want ten Spike Fences — sending the materials now.]
[Qiyezhenzhen: Got it. The previous order is still being crafted, so you'll need to wait a bit. I'll send yours over once they're done.]
[The Golden House Within Books: Sure, no problem!]
Qin Zhen collected [Refined Iron ×400, Common Monster Materials ×40, Stone ×75].
Then she moved on to the third, fourth, and fifth requests.
In total, she had received [Refined Iron ×1200, Common Monster Materials ×240].
When she saw the username on the sixth request, Qin Zhen couldn't help but laugh out loud.
It was [Zhengzhan Tianxia].
[Zhengzhan Tianxia: I want ten Spike Fences.]
And then he sent over [Refined Iron ×400, Common Monster Materials ×80].
[Qiyezhenzhen: Just so you know, your price is doubled.]
[Zhengzhan Tianxia: Are you seriously doing this? You think I won't go to the Chat Channel and expose your ugly face for everyone to see? I'll make sure your business falls apart!]
[Qiyezhenzhen: You're hilarious. Didn't I already announce in the Chat Channel that your price would be doubled? Go ahead and say something — let's see if anyone takes your side.]
[Zhengzhan Tianxia: You little b*tch, raised without any decency, you shameless profiteer...]
The man unleashed a torrent of vile insults. Qin Zhen blocked him without a second thought.
Then she accepted the seventh friend request.
She collected [Refined Iron ×400, Common Monster Materials ×80].
She opened the Chat Channel and found Zhengzhan Tianxia ranting about her.
[Zhengzhan Tianxia: That Qiyezhenzhen b*tch actually had the gall to charge me double! What a shameless profiteer — everyone, don't buy anything from her!]
[Chunfeng Shili: That does seem a bit much. The guy only said a few words, and she actually doubled the price... that's a little over the top, isn't it...]
[Fleeting Dream: Yeah... I think that's a bit much too.]
[...]